NIC students qualify for national BPA competition

Twelve students in the Business and Office Technology programs at North Idaho College placed at the recent state Business Professionals of America (BPA) competition in Boise March 3, qualifying them for the national competition.

“These students compete against other Idaho two- and four-year colleges,” said Kathie O’Brien, NIC Business and Office Technology instructor and NIC BPA chapter adviser. “The overwhelming success of these students demonstrates the exceptional education they are receiving at NIC. Each of these students worked through personal hardships to be able to attend the state conference. As individuals and team members, they have exhibited extremely high levels of professionalism and abilities. I am very proud of them.”

The students competed in business skill competitions against other college students from across the state in BPA, a national organization for high school and college students preparing for careers in business.

Award recipients include:

Morgan Purvis of St. Maries, first place in Advanced Interview Skills and fourth place in Extemporaneous Speech;

Velda “Cindy” Kuhn of Spirit Lake, first place in Administrative Support Team and fifth place in Banking and Finance;

Carmen Dawson of Coeur d’Alene, fourth place in Graphic Design Promotion, fifth place in Prepared Speech and third place in Website Development Team;

Dawn Kushlan of Coeur d’Alene, third place in Graphic Design Promotion, third place in Website Development Team and fifth place in Advanced Interview Skills;

Danny Myers of Coeur d’Alene, first place in Computer Network Technology, second place in CISCO Systems and third place in Website Development Team;

Jenny Rollins of Kellogg, first place in Spreadsheets and first place in Administrative Support Team;

Amanda Porter of Post Falls, first place in Administrative Support Team and second place in Fundamental Accounting;

Chris Arnold of Post Falls,fifth place in Legal Office Procedures;

Tim Hetzler of Spokane, first place in Financial Analyst Team, first place in Administrative Support Research and fifth place in Human Resource Management;

Robert Hoss of Coeur d’Alene, first place in Financial Analyst Team, first place in Interview Skills and third place in Fundamental Accounting;

Stuart Henry of Coeur d’Alene, first place in Financial Analyst Team; and

Kelsey Bonds of St. Maries, first place in Administrative Support Team, first place in Presentation Management and fifth place in Desktop Publishing.

In addition to placing in the competitions, six NIC students received the Torch Award for service.

The BPA 2005 National Leadership Conference will be held in Orlando, Fla., May 10-14. The students are currently trying to raise the money necessary to fund their trip to the national competition.

“Membership in BPA allows students to hone their leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills,” O’Brien said. “The conference will be the culmination of a school year’s worth of education and training that members of the NIC chapter of BPA have received. The students are very excited about competing at the next level and all hope to attend nationals if finances allow. Donations of any type would be greatly appreciated.”

For sponsorship or donation information, contact O’Brien at (208) 769-3264.